‘Dhurandhar' lands in controversy: Is Ranveer Singh romancing a 20-year younger actress? Who is Sara Arjun?

Time of India

14 hours ago

Bollywood icon
Ranveer Singh
stirred massive curiosity across social media platforms after he erased all posts from his Instagram account in the days leading up to his 40th birthday on July 6, 2025. The move left fans speculating about the reason behind the digital cleanse. Many assumed it was a personal or emotional decision. However, it soon became clear that the actor was preparing for a major promotional announcement tied to his next big-screen venture, Dhurandhar.
On his birthday, Singh shared a dramatic teaser of the film, officially marking the start of its promotional campaign. The mysterious Instagram Story posted earlier, which had left fans puzzled, was also part of this orchestrated marketing strategy.
First Glimpse of Dhurandhar Unveiled
The teaser of Dhurandhar premiered on July 6, 2025, introducing audiences to a star-studded cast that includes R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, and Ranveer Singh in pivotal roles. The high-octane film, packed with intense action and powerful performances, is scheduled for release on December 5, 2025. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the movie is backed by Jio Studios and B62 Studios. Co-producers Jyoti Deshpande and Lokesh Dhar are also on board, while Dhar himself has written and produced the project.
Online chatter suggests that Dhurandhar may loosely draw inspiration from the life of India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, especially focusing on the events surrounding the 2016 surgical strike. However, the filmmakers have not confirmed this theory.
Backlash Over Controversial Onscreen Romance
While the teaser was well-received for its gripping visuals and intense performances, one particular scene triggered widespread debate online. A brief moment featured Ranveer Singh's character sharing romantic screen time with
Sara Arjun
. This pairing ignited criticism due to the pronounced age difference between the two actors—Ranveer being 40 and Sara just 20 years old.
The scene quickly became a focal point on the internet, especially on the Reddit community Bolly Blinds Gossip. Screenshots from the teaser circulated widely, prompting concerns about the implications of such casting choices. Many users voiced their discomfort with the onscreen romance, calling the match visually mismatched and ethically questionable. One post expressed hope that the two actors were not paired romantically, while another criticized the larger film industry for continuing such casting trends without considering audience sentiments.
A few users also highlighted that similar precedents have existed in Bollywood for decades, citing examples such as Deepika Padukone, who was in her late teens when cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan, who was over 40 at the time. Others, however, criticized this as a regressive pattern that needed re-evaluation in today's cultural climate.
Industry-Wide Debate on Age-Gap Casting Rekindled
The Dhurandhar controversy reignited a broader conversation already brewing in the film industry. Earlier in 2025, Salman Khan and Kamal Haasan also faced public backlash for romantic storylines involving significantly younger actresses. Salman starred opposite Rashmika Mandanna in Sikandar, with an age difference of over three decades. Kamal Haasan, aged 70, was cast opposite 42-year-old Trisha Krishnan in Thug Life, drawing further criticism.
Viewers, particularly from younger demographics, are increasingly vocal about the discomfort caused by these onscreen dynamics, demanding more age-appropriate casting to reflect contemporary sensibilities.
Who is Sara Arjun?
Sara Arjun, born in 2005, is the daughter of actor Raj Arjun. Her journey into showbiz began at an exceptionally young age when she was cast in a commercial as a toddler. Discovered by a filmmaker in a shopping mall, her screen presence stood out immediately. Her major breakthrough came in 2011 when she played Vikram's daughter in the Tamil emotional drama Deiva Thirumagal, earning critical acclaim.
Over the years, Sara has been featured in numerous films across languages, including Ek Thi Daayan, Saivam, and Saand Ki Aankh. In 2022, she grabbed headlines with her portrayal of young Nandini in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan series, a role that spanned both installments. The historical epic amassed over Rs 800 crore globally, marking the pinnacle of her career so far.
Following this success, reports by
Siasat
and
Gulte
in 2023 stated that Sara Arjun's net worth reached Rs 10 crore, earning her the title of India's highest-paid child actor at the time. However, once she turned 18, that distinction reportedly passed on to Riva Arora.
The Future of Dhurandhar Amid the Storm
Despite the social media uproar, Dhurandhar remains one of the most anticipated releases of the year. With a powerful ensemble cast and a storyline shrouded in national intrigue, the film has the potential to be both a commercial hit and a talking point. However, the debate surrounding the age-gap romance threatens to overshadow the film's narrative strength.
As the release date nears, it remains to be seen how the makers and cast will address the ongoing criticism—or whether the film itself will provide enough justification to quiet the controversy. Either way, Ranveer Singh's birthday celebration and his return to the spotlight have ignited more conversation than anyone could have predicted.